Statement on the 25th anniversary of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty

Statement on the 25th anniversary of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty

October 17, 2017

(OTTAWA) October 17, 2017 – The Green Party of Canada released the following statement on the 25th anniversary of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty:

“In Canada, Indigenous children are more than twice as likely to live in poverty than non-Indigenous children. This shameful statistic means 60 per cent of children on-reserve face poverty and dire living conditions,” said Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada (MP, Saanich-Gulf Islands).

“It is unacceptable for the federal government to continue to discriminate against First Nation children on reserves by failing to provide the same level of child welfare services that exist for Canadian children.

"We again call on Prime Minister Trudeau to comply with a ruling issued by the Human Rights Tribunal to end discrimination against Indigenous children, and to provide adequate funding to children’s services on-reserve,” Ms. May said.

Lorraine Rekmans, Indigenous Affairs Critic for the Green Party of Canada, said: “The United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination stated in its report that it is alarmed that, despite previous recommendations to address poverty, the gap for Indigenous children in Canada continues to grow.

“The UN CERD recommended that Canada fully comply with the Canadian Human Rights tribunal and end the underfunding of child services for Indigenous children. The clock is ticking on this generation and Canada needs to act now,” Ms. Rekmans said.

“This year’s theme, ‘A path toward peaceful and inclusive societies,’ encourages all UN partners to give all its citizens dignity, solidarity and voice when dealing with poverty. We are fortunate to live in a wealthy country, but we must always share our wealth with those in need,” Ms. May said.